The battle for the quotas concluded, and because Hong Ling and Tang Qian'er drew, Mr. Hun granted an additional quota, sending them both to Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy.
As for Mo Ling, who had performed well in the original story and received an extra quota, he did not get the same treatment and lost his chance.
Mr. Hun called all the selected students to his side and said, "You must all have some understanding of the Five Great Academies. Now, choose the academy you prefer to join."
"No, I don't understand..." a student muttered inwardly.
However, he didn't dare to speak out; Mr. Hun was a terrifying figure who could make Liu Qingtian collapse with just a look.
Mu Chen said without hesitation, "I choose to join Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy."
Mr. Hun's face showed a slight smile upon hearing Mu Chen's declaration.
Liu Mubai pondered for a moment and finally chose to join Saint Spiritual Academy.
The "Five Great Academies" is a collective term for five spiritual academies: Saint Spiritual Academy, Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy, Martial Spiritual Academy, Azure Sky Spiritual Academy, and Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy.
Liu Mubai had done his research; Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy only accepted female students, Saint Spiritual Academy subtly held the top position, and Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy was somewhat mysterious.
Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy wasn't called Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy ten years ago; it was known as Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. Later, Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy seemed to have been acquired by a major power, which led to its current name.
Liu Mubai had been hesitant between Saint Spiritual Academy and Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy; the former was overtly the strongest academy, while the latter seemed to have deep connections with a major power, making it easier to use as a stepping stone to enter the power behind the academy after graduation.
However, Mu Chen spoke first, choosing Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, and Mr. Hun from Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy seemed to favor Mu Chen quite a bit. Coupled with Liu Qingtian's previous offense, Liu Mubai could only choose the other one.
Mr. Hun did not stay long in Bei Ling Territory. After his business there was concluded, he returned to Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy via a teleportation array.
Mu Chen also relaxed; his cultivation was not as intense as before, and he spent more time studying spiritual arrays.
He found that he seemed very suited to be a Spiritual Array Master, always relying on his intuition to find the most correct solutions.
Additionally, he also developed a great interest in the mysterious black paper within his body. He obtained this item on the Spiritual Road, and although it couldn't interfere with Amon, the fact that it could trap the Nine Nether Bird showed that it was definitely not an ordinary item.
"Tsk... isn't it just an Undying Fragment?" Amon saw Mu Chen tinkering with the black paper but making no progress, so she couldn't help but say.
"You know about this thing?"
"Of course, it's just an ordinary Undying Fragment. It records the cultivation method for the Great Sun Undying Body. It will become useful when you reach the Supreme Realm," Amon said casually.
"Great Sun Undying Body?"
"A Supreme Dharma Body. It's just alright, I guess."
Although Amon spoke casually, Mu Chen's mind was greatly shaken. A Supreme Dharma Body could only be condensed upon reaching the Supreme Realm, and the cultivation method for each Supreme Dharma Body was extremely precious.
The Supreme Realm... was somewhat distant for Mu Chen currently, so he didn't plan to waste too much energy on it.
"Hey, hey, you want to learn spiritual arrays, right? Amon is the strongest Spiritual Array Master in the world today. Do you want to make a deal with me and exchange for my guidance?" Amon began her sales pitch again.
An inexplicable intuition told Mu Chen that this kind of deal should not be casually accepted. He only planned to use Amon as a trump card to turn the tide in life-and-death situations, so he refused:
"I don't have any plans for a deal for now."
"Tsk... you'll definitely regret it." Amon wasn't annoyed, a curve forming on her lips.
Since Liu Qingtian was injured by Mr. Hun, no conflict erupted between Mu Territory and Liu Territory as in the original story. Liu Territory actively retracted its forces, reducing friction between the two sides.
Under the guidance of his spiritual array teacher, Wen Ling, Mu Chen steadily learned spiritual array knowledge.
Just when he thought such days would continue until he went to Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, an unexpected event broke the peace.
Liu Territory suddenly announced a Nine Territories Assembly, and all invited powers within Bei Ling Territory had to attend.
This news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Bei Ling Territory, and undercurrents began to surge among the various powers.
At Mu Residence, in the council hall, Mu Feng held the invitation from Liu Territory, his expression serious.
"What are your thoughts?"
"There must be something fishy about this."
"Why not just ignore them? I don't believe that scoundrel Liu Qingtian would really dare to start a war."
"I think we should go and see what they're really up to."
Several people spoke their opinions all at once.
Finally, Mu Feng made the decision: "Gather our forces and attend this Nine Territories Assembly. Additionally, those staying behind should prepare for defense, ready for a full-scale war with Liu Territory."
...
Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. As Mr. Hun entered the academy gate, he saw a young man dressed in black.
The young man had a handsome face, exuding a somewhat unrestrained demeanor, with a faint smile on his lips.
A hint of surprise flashed across Mr. Hun's face: "Patriarch... why are you at the academy?"
"Of course, I came to visit my lovely younger sister... She hasn't led the academy astray, has she?" Hun Zheng asked with a smile.
Mr. Hun carefully chose his words and replied, "Dean has always dedicated herself to developing the academy and has never been negligent."
"It's possible when she first went to Soul Hall for training, but now..." Hun Zheng shook his head, clearly not believing Mr. Hun's words.
After a pause, he asked again, "Did you recruit students? Did you find any good prospects?"
Mr. Hun hesitated for a moment before responding, "There are many students with excellent aptitudes, but there is one person I don't understand."
"Tell me about it."
"His name is Mu Chen. His father is a territory lord in Bei Ling Territory of Hundred Spirits Continent, and his mother's origin is unknown, her identity a mystery.
"He was expelled from the Spiritual Road selection because he killed too many people. He was the first person to be expelled from the Spiritual Road before the time limit.
"Although he didn't receive the Spiritual Road Initiation and wasted a lot of cultivation time on the Spiritual Road, he still managed to secure the seed quota we specially offered.
"The most intriguing point for me is that in the battle for the quota, he used a black light tower. If I'm not mistaken, that's the Floating Buddhist Tower, which means he's from the Ancient Buddha Clan!"
Mr. Hun reported all the information he had gathered to Hun Zheng in detail.
The latter stroked his chin: "So, his mother is from the Ancient Buddha Clan?
"Heh... Born in a small place, his family has considerable power in that small place, but his background actually hides a greater mystery.
"Originally a genius, he was delayed due to special reasons, and after a period of obscurity, he gradually regained his brilliance...
"Don't you think this template is a bit like an old acquaintance of ours?"
"An old acquaintance?" Mr. Hun's tone was puzzled.
Hun Zheng chuckled: "My dear younger brother, Xiao Yan."
Mr. Hun was silent for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "It is indeed very similar, but comparing him to the Flame Emperor, isn't that too high a praise?"
Hun Zheng chuckled lightly and said, "It's too early to say; we'll know once we meet. I'll be staying at the academy for a while longer."
...
The venue for the Nine Territories Assembly was Nine Territories City, a city located in the center of Bei Ling Territory, considered a recognized neutral zone with no actual controller.
When Mu Feng arrived at Nine Territories City with Mu Chen and the large contingent from Mu Territory, this usually quiet city had become exceptionally lively.
He observed the other territory lords, who also brought large numbers of elites, clearly all on guard against Liu Territory.
"Brother Mu." A voice came from not far away.
Mu Feng looked in the direction of the voice and, seeing it was Tang Shan, immediately greeted him with a smile: "Brother Tang."
Tang Shan was Tang Qian'er's father, one of the Nine Territory Lords, and a good friend of Mu Feng.
"Hi, Mu Chen!" Behind Tang Shan, Tang Qian'er greeted Mu Chen with a beaming smile.
"Why are you here too?" Mu Chen was a little surprised.
"Just came along to see," Tang Qian'er smiled sweetly, "Anyway, it's boring staying at home."
Her large eyes scanned the surroundings, then she suddenly leaned closer to Mu Chen and whispered, "I heard there's something wrong with this Nine Territories Assembly... Do you know Liu Jingshan?"
"Liu Jingshan?" Mu Chen was startled, "Are you talking about the previous lord of Liu Territory, Liu Mubai's grandfather?"
"Yes, he was once the strongest expert in Bei Ling Territory, but he suddenly disappeared three years ago," Tang Qian'er said with a frown.
"Your father suspects Liu Jingshan isn't dead, and this sudden big move by Liu Territory is his doing?" Mu Chen's expression was serious.
"Can't it be me who suspects that?" Tang Qian'er rolled her eyes.
"You?" Mu Chen glanced at her and shook his head.
Seeing Mu Chen's expression, Tang Qian'er's forehead twitched, and a hint of annoyance appeared on her face.
"Tsk tsk tsk... Mu Chen, do you want to make a deal with me?" A faint voice echoed in Mu Chen's ear.
"Miss Amon..." Mu Chen's face darkened, and he asked in his heart, "Have you discovered something?"
In Mu Chen's Qi Sea, the red-haired girl sat on a petal, wiggling an index finger playfully as she said, "It's a secret... I can't tell you, unless you want to make a deal? If you do it now, you might get a discount. If it's a life-or-death situation, the price will be much higher."
Mu Chen smiled and shook his head, refusing. He didn't think the premium would be significant, because the reward Amon needed could only be given to her after he grew stronger. So, even in a crisis, if she truly wanted to gain something, she definitely wouldn't stand by and watch him die.
Furthermore, Amon's mysterious demeanor made him somewhat distrust her.
Heaven knows if she had truly discovered something, or if she was deliberately acting this way to deceive him and make him agree to a deal?
Mu Chen approached the first transaction with extreme caution, because once the first step was taken, there would be no turning back.
Amon was not discouraged by Mu Chen's refusal; she merely smiled and pinched the crystal monocle.